“I’m sorry about the ball hitting you this afternoon,” he rubs a spot at the back of his neck, “that was my fault.” My eyes are jumping all over the place. I don’t know if I should look where I’m walking or stare at Seth. This is all so surreal! “And I’m sorry for Hayden being such an ass.”
He brings his hand down and his elbow slams into my arm. “Shit! Sorry.”
“It’s okay,” I say softly.
He nudges me with his elbow, this time softer, and again I feel the tingles settle deep in me. This boy has me tied up in knots! “So your weapon of choice is books?” At first I don’t understand and shake my head. He points at his cheek. “Smacking Hayden,” he states.
“Oh!” I smile. “Yeah, the book thing.” I nervously untie and tie my hair again, making sure it’s all smooth. Then tuck my hands in my back pockets and bounce a little as we walk. I’m so nervous! “I didn’t mean to hit him, it just happened.”
“You don’t need to apologize. He needs to be clobbered every once in a while,” Seth laughs and I stare at him in wonder again. He’s laughing with me. The stunning smile on his face is for me. My heart melts at this thought.
His eyes drop to my chest and I realize that by sticking my hands in my back pockets, it pulled my shoulders back and pushed my chest forward, showing off the little I have. I quickly yank my hands from my pockets and cross my arms over my chest. Embarrassment floods me again. This rollercoaster of emotions is making me dizzy.
I look up at the twinkling stars and Seth must notice because he asks, “You like the stars?”
I nod. “Yeah, they remind me of fireflies.”
Seth stops walking and stares long at the night sky. “You’re right.” He looks at me a huge smile on his face. “I used to catch them as a kid, but I can’t remember when last I saw a firefly.”
My heart fills with delight that Seth is here talking to me about fireflies of all things.
When we get close to his RV, I start to slow. “Thanks for walking with me.” I say goodbye, sad that the walk went by so quickly.
I turn to walk the last stretch, when his hand folds warm around mine. “Hey, I’m walking you home. There’s no way I’m letting you walk alone, Lacey.”
I stand, struck in amazement. Seth Brody is holding my hand. My mouth drops open, “You know my name?”
Seth tugs on my hand, pulling me in the direction of my house. “Yeah, I asked Autumn.” I’m highly aware of the fact that he’s not letting go of my hand. “I didn’t know Sophia is your mom.”
“You know my mom?” Now I sound like an idiot.
“She’s our usual waitress when we go to Ron’s.”
We reach my RV and I stop. “This is me.”
When Seth takes my hand in both of his, I start to bounce on my toes. This is a dream come true!
“I’m just going to come right out and ask.” he stares at my fingers while his own fingers lace with mine. “You want to do something tomorrow … with me?”
My eyes must be as huge as saucers. Seth Brody just asked me out! I nod, not trusting my own voice.
A wide smile splits across his face. “Great! I’ll be here around ten?”
I nod again, still tongue tied.
He takes a step closer to me and my heart starts to beat wildly. I know it would be a dream come true if he kissed me, but isn’t it a bit soon? I don’t want to be that girl. I want to be the girl.
He lifts his hand to my cheek and brushes a few strands of hair behind my ear. “Sleep tight,” he whispers and then he lets me go and walks away.
I’m way too excited to sleep now! My mind is all over the place, trying to cherish every memory about tonight. I turn around and watch Seth walk back to their lot.
Only when he goes inside do I let out the whoosh of air I’ve been holding in. I turn in a circle and then jump up and down.
I can’t believe that just happened! I go to open the door of our RV when I realize I forgot my bag at the diner. My keys, phone, everything is in there. With a huge smile I jog back to the diner.
I’ve never